When you have a pit bull, softening her look is imperative if you don’t want to scare the tourists. On our walks around Stow Lake, it’s like parting the Red Sea – as Jazzy and I come down the narrow path, people practically fling themselves left and right, giving us the sidewalk to ourselves. Looks of terror are not uncommon; looks of disdain are sadly even less common. But Jazzy and I march on in our quest to introduce as many pit-bull-phobic people as possible to the goofy, sweet, intelligent, loving nature of the world’s most misunderstood breed. I’ve found that dressing a pittie in pink has a calming effect. It’s amazing just how many terrified or disdainful looks turn into huge grins under the power of Jazzy – those pool-blue eyes could melt the Grinch’s heart, and that tongue … well, let’s just say if Jazzy were a kiss, she’d be French – get anywhere near it, and you won’t need a bath.
   
No one ever accused Jazzy of being girly. I call her my unfeminine flower – more snips and snails and puppy dog tails than sugar and spice and everything nice. She snores, farts and hogs the bed more than any boyfriend I’ve had.
     
When it comes to sexual identity in public, let’s face it, Jasmine Blue needs all the help she can get. I can’t count how many times we hear, “Look at his pretty blue eyes.” Even funnier is the conversation that goes something like this: “What’s his name?” “Jasmine.” “Oh, he’s beautiful!”
     
I decided shortly after I adopted her that Jazzy would be Pittie in Pink – it helps soften her linebacker physique and disarms the frightened, who usually wind up on a park bench with a pit bull in their laps getting sloppy kisses.
   
One of the greatest things about pitties is their clownish nature – they are eager to please, and they love to make you laugh. Jazzy has no problem parading down the street in a pink hoodie that says “Lover not a Biter” in grey glitter – the more attention she gets, the happier she is. When someone bends down to pet her through delighted giggles, Jazzy wiggles her butt right up, flashes that big pittie grin, and that famous tongue starts darting for the nearest orifice (usually an ear or a nostril).
     
Jazzy and I have accumulated quite a collection of pink clothing and accessories over the past three years, so we wanted to share our five favorite pink picks for pups. All of them come in other colors, of course, for boy dogs (and for girl dogs who are more ballerina than linebacker without the help of a pink sparkly collar).
     

Most of these can be found at Northside pet stores like Animal Connection (2419 Chestnut Street, 415-567-5335), Jeffrey’s (1841 Powell Street, 415-402-0342, www.jeffreysnaturalpetfood.com), and Bow Wow Meow (2150 Polk Street, 415-440-2845, www.bowwowmeow.net.)
     
If you can’t find them in the Northside, check out our Get Across Town favorites like Pawtrero Hill Bathhouse & Feed (199 Mississippi Street, 415-863-7297, www.pawtrero.com); Osso & Co. (501 Broderick Street, 415-447-8543 and 1232 9th Avenue, 415-661-6113; www.ossoandco.com); Noe Valley Pet Company (1451 Church Street, 415-282-7385, www.noevalleypet.com), and our Get Outta Town favorite, Happy Go Lucky Dog Boutique in San Jose (925 Blossom Hill Road, 408-204-9339) and Santa Clara (2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard, 408-244-2472; www.happygoluckydogs.com).


E-mail: jasmine@northsidesf.com